Grupotec and REG Power Developments have lodged plans for Nettly Burn Renewable Energy Park, which incorporates a solar farm and battery energy storage system (BESS) with Fife Council and the Scottish Government’s Energy Consents Unit.
The developers are proposing a 80MW solar farm on some 80 hectares of land with an operational life of up to 40 years, and battery storage units of up to 15MW to store electricity and discharge when it is most needed.
The c.125-hectare site is located approximately 4.5km north east of Saline in Fife, on land that currently comprises rough and semi-improved grazing land.
The proposal has been lodged following a 12-month public consultation that included two public exhibitions in March and August 2024 and meetings with community councils and community representatives.
The developers have also consulted with statutory bodies including NatureScot, Historic Environment Scotland and Scottish Environmental Protection Agency.
Justin Reid, Nettly Burn’s project manager, said: “We would like to thank everyone who took the time to attend our public exhibitions.
“The feedback has helped us to shape our final proposals. We will work together with the local community to deliver a project that maximises local benefits and clean energy generation.
“The proposal will make an important contribution to Scotland’s net zero targets and in particular, the Scotland-specific target for the deployment of solar PV.
“As a relatively long-established technology, power can be generated from solar panels at a lower cost compared with fossil fuel alternatives – without subsidies – so helping to bring down everyone’s energy bills.”
The developers will work with the community to establish a benefit fund over the planned 40-year life of the project to be used by local people for local projects and initiatives.
Nettly Burn Renewable Energy Park will also contribute to the local economy, directly – by creating construction-related jobs – and indirectly, in the supply chain and via business rates.
Biodiversity and habitat improvements form an integral part of the proposal, to help improve biodiversity on site and to explore opportunities for peat restoration.
New hedgerow planting alongside existing vegetation by the road frontage which will help to screen the development from view.
As a Section 36 project, the application will be determined by Scottish Government with Fife Council as a statutory consultee.
People now have until 17 March 2025 to make formal representations to Scottish Government’s Energy Consents Unit about the proposal.